The Case for Quiet Buildings
In a city that competes for attention at every corner, we keep asking the same question: what if a building simply didn't?
Architecture Begins With a Good Client
People often assume that great architecture begins with a talented architect. In reality architecture has always been a collaboration. In a recent reflection I wrote that architecture is often the easy part. The harder part is everything that surrounds it. Regulations, economics, timelines, and the long sequence of decisions that determine what ultimately ge
Architecture Is the Easy Part
Most people assume architectural projects live or die on design. Floor plans. Massing. Materials. A compelling image that makes everything feel possible. In reality, design is rarely the hard part. The hard part is everything wrapped around it. Approvals. Interpretation. Timing. Strategy. Knowing when to push and when to slow down. Understanding how a projec
Before the Drawings Begin: Starting an Architectural Project with Clarity
Most architectural projects don’t begin with drawings.They begin with a sense that something has shifted. A site that’s no longer just an idea.A building that no longer fits.A long-held plan that finally feels ready to move forward. Often, what’s missing at this stage isn’t ambition. It’s clarity. The earliest moments of a project—before schedule
A Closer Look at AB 1287: How California’s Updated Density Bonus Expands Housing Potential in Los Angeles (2025 Guide)
In a city where every square foot matters, AB 1287 is one of the most meaningful updates to California’s housing legislation in years. Signed on October 11, 2023, the amendment enhances the State Density Bonus Law by introducing a second, “stackable” bonus that opens the door for more mixed-income housing across Los Angeles. With LA […]
Understanding ED1: Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing in Los Angeles
At Bittoni Architects, we’re passionate about designing thoughtful and impactful housing for Los Angeles. The city’s housing crisis is complicated, but there are meaningful initiatives helping move projects forward. One of the most important is Executive Directive No. 1 (ED1) — a directive that accelerates approvals for 100% affordable housing and
Working in Context: Lessons from Charleston
The City as a Teacher Designing in Charleston is an exercise in humility. The city’s architecture speaks in centuries, not seasons. Every cornice, balcony, and brick has endured through storms and social change alike. To design here means entering a long-standing conversation—one defined by discipline, craft, and context. At Bittoni Architects, we were i
Lessons Learned from the Palisades: Rebuilding with Light, Landscape, and Connection
Rebuilding with Purpose Across the Pacific Palisades, homeowners rebuilding after loss are finding new ways to reconnect with place — embracing design that is both resilient and restorative. Our Bienvenida Residence embodies that shift: a home not defined by what was lost, but by what could be reimagined. When our clients approached us, their vision [&hell
CHIP Ordinance Los Angeles: New Housing Incentives Explained
Effective February 2025, the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) expands housing potential across Los Angeles. At Bittoni Architects, we believe architecture can play a key role in building a more equitable and vibrant Los Angeles. The recently adopted CHIP Ordinance Los Angeles, which took effect in February 2025, is a major step in that direction. [&
Architecture of Renewal: Building Resilient Futures in the Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.
Building Back the Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena We must acknowledge the immense tragedies—whether from natural disasters, environmental degradation, or unforeseen events—that ripple through our communities. These losses are profound, touching lives, histories, and landscapes in ways that architecture can’t heal. Architecture is just one piece of
Rebuilding Together: Supporting Our Los Angeles Community After the Fires
Our hearts are with everyone affected by the recent fires that have impacted our community. In times like these, we are reminded of the importance of coming together to support one another, and we want you to know that you are not alone. At Bittoni Architects, we are committed to being more than just a […]
The 20-Minute City: A Vision for the Future of Los Angeles
The 20-Minute City: A Vision for the Future of Los Angeles You might have heard a buzzword floating around lately—the 20-minute city. It’s a new urban planning concept that’s been gaining traction in cities around the world, and it’s starting to make waves here in Los Angeles, too. The basic idea is simple: design neighborhoods […]